Manfrotto Joystick head question!

[Sendide]

Hi everybody,
has anyone ben experiencing the manfrotto joystick hed #222 or the 322 RC2 , I 'm confused between the two and would like any advice, I's mostly for macophotography and some boating sports.
thanks in advance
kh

[Icebreaker]

I've Been using the 222 and love it. If your doing macro shots that require you to be low to the ground, make sure you take into consideration the extra height of the head 8in I believe.

[CyberDyneSystems]

I have both,. but I don't know which is which number wise because here in the States,. the numbers are different.

The newer one is the one where the grip can be used to the side of the ballhead,. the older one the grip is allways on top of the ball head.

To tell the truth,. I prefer the older style better 90% of the time. It only becomes awkward when a very large and heavy lens/body combo is being used, because it all becomes "top heavy"

However the newer one can be used the same as as the older one with a quick change over using an allen wrench key.

The downside of the newer model is that with certain lens collars,. the quick relase lever won't work so you have to turn the whole plate around 180 degrees :(

This is a bummer because it menas that you can't keep all your quick release plates facing the same way,. and if you have a different head using the same tyoe of plates (as I do) the camera ends up pointing in different directions relative to the head controls from one head to the next :( thus defeating one of the advantages of QR plates in the first place (bad mistake on Manfrottos part!!!!! really poor design)

[Sendide]

well, go whereverever you want , read what ever you read, it's in this forum that you'll ever get the best and useful comments
Real thanks guys
Goooooooooo for the older model (and I even think that the newer one is discontinued, they probably read their weeknesses over here) :wink:

[sparty314]

Sendide,

I recently bought the 322RC2 and have been very happy. I think it is a better design than the old one. With the grip in the horizontal position, it can handle a load of 11 pounds (as compared to 5 lbs for the vertical/old). I have no trouble using it with my 10D, grip, and Sigma 50-500mm lens. In the vertical configuration, however, it *cannot* solidly support the set-up. If weight is a consideration, I'd suggest the 322RC2.

[CyberDyneSystems]

Sendide,. I should have stated this,.. Depsite the afore mentioned down side to the newer grip head... I still like the new one better than the old one for a number of reasons including its flexility.

I am however in the process of modifying the new one in two ways.

1: I am going to drill new holes in the removable QR plate so that I can turn it 90 degrees so it is oriented in the same direction as the QR on my other QR mounts.

2: I am going to get a second QR mount to put on the end of the handle like the original grip head deos,. both QR mounts at the same time, so I can switch from one style to the other without breaking out any tools to do so...

:)

[Sendide]

looks like the 322RC2 is out of stock and discontinued!!, is it because they want to come out with a better improoved model ? anyways, does any one know any storte havong it ready for shipping?
thanks